The Obsidian Limited Entry Area - that is a really dumb name...I will simply call it the Obsidian Trail - is a sub alpine area to the west and at the base of the Three Sisters: North, Middle and South peaks. Each peak also has another name like Faith, Hope, and Suzanne, but I don't really know what they are. It's called the Obsidian Trail because there are a bizillion pieces of obsidian everywhere. Big boulders, hand size stones, arrowhead size pieces, and flakes. There are fields of obsidian and the whole area sparkles in the sunlight. I wouldn't want to walk barefooted through the area. Camille and I picked a bunch of heart shaped pieces - I guess for when I start making jewelry.
In 2014 Camille and I went twice on the Obsidian Trail. The first time there was too much snow and we couldn't progress far enough to see the good stuff. The second time - just about two weeks later - the snow had melted and we were able to do the loop trail. The first three and a half miles is a gentle uphill climb through dense forest. Then the three mile loop through the "obsidian area" begins. The total round trip is 10.1 miles. The Pacific Crest Trail makes up the eastern part of the loop
This year we wanted to explore more of the area and eventually make our way to Linton Meadows, which, according to what I'd read, is beautiful.
Here we are at the lava field which you have to cross before starting the loop. It's also the first time you can see the Three Sisters. I'll bet everyone who hikes up here takes a photo at this exact spot. Then we pressed on to where the loop begins.
This is were the snarky part of the trip began. I wanted to go left at the point where the loop begins, meet up with the PCT, and then head right on the PCT following the signs to Linton Meadow. Easy, right? I mean, I'd been here before. I know how to read maps. I have an uncanny sense of direction. I had map, a compass and a GPS (and my whistle). What could go wrong?
Well, "wrong" was going right at the sign pointing to Linton Meadow - not heading left at the sign pointing to Minnie Scott spring which was the way I wanted to go!. Never mind that we took the trail to the right just about a mile too soon. I know, you're confused, cuz you don't have a map. I was confused too because absolutely nothing looked familiar. NOTHING! Where was the waterfall? Where was the spring flowing out of the mountain? Where was the open expanse with the horizon filled with mountains?
Eventually we needed to make camp and we picked a small open area by a little stream.
Camille is glad we stopped
Here is our camp. Isn't is cozy? I felt like Francis Marion - The Swamp Fox - hiding in the woods just waiting to attack some Red coats on patrol. In the morning we had a chance, too, because we could hear some hikers coming up the trail; We stayed very still and quietly watched the two "British soldiers" walk unsuspectingly walk by us. Little did they know that we could have attacked!
After the Red Coats had passed we loaded up and continued on the trail looking for the PCT which is, like I've said before, looking the Interstate highway of the Cascades.
Eventually we did come to the PCT and turned right. But still things didn't look right.
Not this either. I didn't remember this from last year.
Nor this.
And this I was sure I had never seen before! This was a lava field, not a field full of obsidian. Looking at the map for a long we finally concluded that we had turned right too soon and that were just a mile or two off course. No problem, I knew how to get back to the car. As Daniel Boone once said, "we weren't lost just a bit bewildered."
Just too make sure, we stopped and chatted with a PCT through hiker heading north. Causally I asked, "so... how far ahead is the turn off for Linton Meadow?" The response, "about a half mile further on." Were were going the right way! ........ just two miles off course.
Heading down the trail toward Linton Meadow we stopped at this teeny meadow for the day and set up camp. I was a cool place because there were a bunch of springs oozing out from the base of the hillside.
We found this cool waterfall. We named it Camille Falls.
We climbed down to the base of the falls and took these two photos.
Then headed down the trail on a day (afternoon) hike to Linton Meadow. Finally our goal reached.
South Sister (Suzanne Peak). Linton Meadow really looks like Jefferson Park- just not as magnificent as JP.
The sign proves we are there.
Heading back - I think this is the Husband
Here is Mt Jefferson framed by some Douglas firs.
I want to go again next year and explore some more. Especially I want to find Arrowhead Lake and I think I know where it is- - - probably. And I will follow the sign for Minnie Scott Spring and leave it to others to follow the sign that says Linton Meadow.
when I die, I want to come back as one of your grandchildren
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